This is an interesting National Park in that these dunes are the tallest dunes in the North America. The dunes were formed from sand and soil deposits of the Rio Grande and its tributaries, flowing through the San Luis Valley. Over the ages, glaciers feeding the river and the vast lake that existed upon the valley melted, and the waters evaporated. Westerly winds picked up sand particles from the lake and river flood plain. As the wind lost power before crossing the Sangre de Cristo Range, the sand was deposited on the east edge of the valley. This process continues, and the dunes are slowly growing. The wind changes the shape of the dunes daily.[4]
There are several streams flowing on the perimeter of the dunes. The streams erode the edge of the dune field, and sand is carried downstream. The water disappears into the ground, depositing sand on the surface. Winds pick up the deposits of sand, and blow them up onto the dune field once again.
One of the most valued features of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is one that cannot be seen. According to a recent Soundscape Study conducted by the National Park Service, this park is the quietest national park in the 48 contiguous United States.
Many visitors to the site try to sled down the dunes. The Park Service provides hints as to the best time to sled (when the sand is wet) and which equipment works best.
Visitors anytime other than late fall through early spring are also advised to avoid bare feet or sandals, and stick with sturdy, closed footwear. While the sand looks alluring, its chocolate color absorbs heat. The daylight sand temperature can reach 140 °F (60 °C) and will burn bare feet!!!
The visitor center offers a 20 minute film that shows the main features of this park. There is a campground within the park that cost $20/night unless you have a senior pass. It then costs $10/night. There are no hook-ups.
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| Note the tiny specs that are people on the dunes! |
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| We had a quiet drive to the railway. :) |
The cost of the ride is $81 for two people and this includes $5 for parking. Generally you require reservations, however, Earline and I were lucky in that we were able to obtain walk-up tickets and there were not many empty seats on the train. You can see the schedule of the trains below. The temperature at the top is about 20 degrees F so you need warm clothing.
In addition, the top is 14,110 feet high so you will note the effect of the decreased oxygen levels. Both Earline and I felt a bit nauseated and light headed. The partial pressure of oxygen in your arterial blood at that altitude is 38.9 mmHg compared to about 95 mmHg at sea level.
You can calculate these numbers using this website. http://www.altitude.org/oxygen_levels.php
The trip take 1.5 hours up and 1.5 hours down and you spend about 40 minutes at the top. The views are spectacular.
The mountain is names after Pike, and Army explorer of the Louisiana Purchase areas but Pike never made it to the top as he was wearing a summer uniform and had to turn back after a partial ascent. Still, others traveling west used his notes and navigated using the distinctive mountain silhouette when traveling. It bears his name for these reasons.
The views from the top of Pike's Peak inspired a poem by Katherine Bates from which eventually, the song America the Beautiful was composed.
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| Note the person on the edge |
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| Original cog engines were run by steam |
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| Original Summit House built in 1873 |
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| Aspen Trees |
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